Am i wasting my time in a liberal arts and sciences program

[dli1112]

I know what i want to do I want to be a dentist and i am taking most of the pre-requisite courses to become a dentist. There is a dental hygiene program in my school thats also a two years associate degree I feel like that would of been a better idea then two years of lib arts that is a useless degree. But others tell me that dental hygiene might get me off track, what do you guys think, do you guys think i will still graduate on time as well after doing the two years of liberal arts or does this program hold you back two years from entering your bachelors degree.

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[flyingforever]

I know what i want to do I want to be a dentist and i am taking most of the pre-requisite courses to become a dentist. There is a dental hygiene program in my school thats also a two years associate degree I feel like that would of been a better idea then two years of lib arts that is a useless degree. But others tell me that dental hygiene would might get me off track, what do you guys think, do you guys think i will still graduate on time as well after doing the two years of liberal arts or does this program hold you back two years from entering your bachelors degree.

Are you taking pre-requisites at Community College?

 

[penguin24]

I think getting A's in a liberal arts college/university would add more to your Dental school application than a dental hygiene program. Dental school is fairly competitive, so you want to be sure you get in.

You could argue that getting training in dental hygiene will be helpful towards becoming a dentist, while studying linguistics at a liberal arts college would not. But dental school should give you all the necessary training to be a competent dentist. For ex: Somebody who studied nursing, then went to medical school would not be a better doctor than somebody who studied art history at NYU then went to medical school.

One point of clarification, the purpose of undergraduate studies is to gain acceptance to graduate school (dental/medical/law). NOT to get a head-start on the material.

 

[doc toothache]

I think getting A's in a liberal arts college/university would add more to your Dental school application than a dental hygiene program. Dental school is fairly competitive, so you want to be sure you get in.

You could argue that getting training in dental hygiene will be helpful towards becoming a dentist, while studying linguistics at a liberal arts college would not. But dental school should give you all the necessary training to be a competent dentist. For ex: Somebody who studied nursing, then went to medical school would not be a better doctor than somebody who studied art history at NYU then went to medical school.

One point of clarification, the purpose of undergraduate studies is to gain acceptance to graduate school (dental/medical/law). NOT to get a head-start on the material.

👍 But, since when is dental capitalized?

 

[dli1112]

Are you taking pre-requisites at Community College?

Im doing them at a state university in new york, its not labeled community college not that theres anything wrong with that but i have heard schools look down on people that do their pre reqs at community colleges.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Im doing them at a state university in new york, its not labeled community college not that theres anything wrong with that but i have heard schools look down on people that do their pre reqs at community colleges.

I personally disagree with the above posts. I think you would be fine to take your pre-reqs at the state school while getting your associates in dental hygiene. This would give you the training and a back-up plan should you not get into dental school, plus it would allow you to get a nice pay check while working towards a bachelor's degree. The only thing I would make sure of is that those courses can be used for a bachelors degree should you not get into dental school after applying with only the pre-reqs and no bachelor's degree. If the credits don't count towards a bachelor's degree, then go the liberal arts way.

 

[dli1112]

I personally disagree with the above posts. I think you would be fine to take your pre-reqs at the state school while getting your associates in dental hygiene. This would give you the training and a back-up plan should you not get into dental school, plus it would allow you to get a nice pay check while working towards a bachelor's degree. The only thing I would make sure of is that those courses can be used for a bachelors degree should you not get into dental school after applying with only the pre-reqs and no bachelor's degree. If the credits don't count towards a bachelor's degree, then go the liberal arts way.

yes this is exactly what i was thinking because it always gives a back up plan for those instances in (crossing my fingers) which you dont make it in to dental school. I am a dental assistant tho so im doing okay for a 19 year old lol,but what i really want is become a dentist its notso much for the money what i dont want is the dent hygiene prog. interfere with my pre reqs for dentistry im already in my second year of lib arts so i think i will talk to an advisor to see if it would be wise to switch over to dent hyg. now.

 

[penguin24]

👍 But, since when is dental capitalized?

Notice how I didn't capitalize 'dental hygiene program' but did so for 'Dental school'. Maybe that's an unconscious way of saying that dental school is more prestigious than dental hygiene programs.

BTW, when I was applying to med school, I was told by a med school Dean that taking pre-req's at a community college was in fact looked down upon since there is generally less competition at JC courses. Not saying that's a hard and fast rule, but that's what I was told by a Dean.

 

[doc toothache]

Notice how I didn't capitalize 'dental hygiene program' but did so for 'Dental school'. Maybe that's an unconscious way of saying that dental school is more prestigious than dental hygiene programs.

BTW, when I was applying to med school, I was told by a med school Dean that taking pre-req's at a community college was in fact looked down upon since there is generally less competition at JC courses. Not saying that's a hard and fast rule, but that's what I was told by a Dean.

Let's just hope you were conscious when you wrote it, otherwise you would have us worried.

 

[FreeFallin]

Notice how I didn't capitalize 'dental hygiene program' but did so for 'Dental school'. Maybe that's an unconscious way of saying that dental school is more prestigious than dental hygiene programs.

BTW, when I was applying to med school, I was told by a med school Dean that taking pre-req's at a community college was in fact looked down upon since there is generally less competition at JC courses. Not saying that's a hard and fast rule, but that's what I was told by a Dean.

Here's all I have to say: Dental Hygiene Program.

I'm very proud to be an RDH. 🙂 It's really opened my eyes to dentistry.

 

[penguin24]

Let's just hope you were conscious when you wrote it, otherwise you would have us worried.

You dentists are real sticklers with vocabulary, you know very well I meant subconscious.

 

[baseballjunkie]

Let's just put it this way: If you do your pre-reqs at a university, it will be looked more favorably upon by admissions committees. However, do people get into dental school doing all their pre-reqs at a community college? Yes. There are many that do. Not all schools accept CC credits.

Would experience working as a RDH look good applying to dental school? ABSOLUTELY. We have at least 2 or 3 or so in our class who have more than 6-10 years experience as an RDH. Here is what is most important: Take all your necessary pre-req classes and do well, do well on the DAT, show that dentistry is the career for you in your app and interview, and you'll get in somewhere.

The one thing I've learned in our first quarter in dental school is that we have such a diverse, wide range of students. Everyone has different backgrounds. We have students that went to ivy league schools, and some that did their pre-reqs at CCs. We have age ranges from 21-40s. Not everyone has to fit the same mold. In fact, it's the different experiences in life that will separate you from different candidates

 

[FreeFallin]

Let's just put it this way: If you do your pre-reqs at a university, it will be looked more favorably upon by admissions committees. However, do people get into dental school doing all their pre-reqs at a community college? Yes. There are many that do. Not all schools accept CC credits.

Would experience working as a RDH look good applying to dental school? ABSOLUTELY. We have at least 2 or 3 or so in our class who have more than 6-10 years experience as an RDH. Here is what is most important: Take all your necessary pre-req classes and do well, do well on the DAT, show that dentistry is the career for you in your app and interview, and you'll get in somewhere.

The one thing I've learned in our first quarter in dental school is that we have such a diverse, wide range of students. Everyone has different backgrounds. We have students that went to ivy league schools, and some that did their pre-reqs at CCs. We have age ranges from 21-40s. Not everyone has to fit the same mold. In fact, it's the different experiences in life that will separate you from different candidates

👍